Warren Hellman honored with Golden Gate Park meadow renaming

Warren Hellman, the billionaire financier well-known for his civic engagement, philanthropic benevolence and banjo-picking, now has a meadow named after him in Golden Gate Park where hundreds of thousands of music lovers enjoy the free Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival he sponsors every year.

The Recreation and Park Commission unanimously approved the name change today after taking testimony from musicians, educators, union representatives, business leaders, park neighbors, movers-and-shakers in high society and community activists who support the honor for Hellman.

Hellman, 77, who has been hospitalized with a serious illness numerous times over the past several months, has touched so many facets of life in San Francisco, including but certainly not limited to, sponsoring the music festival and the San Francisco Free Clinic, leading efforts for pension reform in city government and supporting public education.

“Only in San Francisco do you have a billionaire with a banjo on his knee throwing a free concert,’’ said Tom O’Connor, president of the San Francisco firefighters union.

“A Chinese proverb says a leaf doesn’t fall far from the tree. Warren has been the tree of life for the city, and Hellman Hollow will continue to breathe life into this city for future generations. … What a fitting tribute for a man who has done so much for us,’’ said Rec and Park Commissioner David Lee.

Hellman’s daughter, Tricia Hellman Gibbs, attended the commission meeting, representing her father, and said the tribute is one that he will cherish.